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Amid one of the worst transportation crises in Cuba, the government has announced the revival of the train that connects the Luyanó Terminal with the Expocuba exhibition center, a service that ceased operations years ago due to the deterioration of the infrastructure and lack of maintenance.
The Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, reported this Wednesday on Facebook that specialized brigades have been working for months on the rehabilitation of the railway tracks, while technical adjustments are being made to the cars that will be used for the journey in the Ciénaga workshops.
As part of this process, on Saturday, March 15, First Deputy Minister Luis Roberto Rosés, along with executives from Ferrocarriles de Cuba, inspected the condition of the Guanajay Line, the Rincón Line, and the Expocuba Branch, making strategic stops at critical points such as the level crossing at La Víbora and the Calabazar intersection.
The tasks include cleaning the tracks, installing new rails and sleepers, and repairing the signaling systems, which have been in complete neglect for years.
Rodríguez Dávila noted that, in addition to reactivating this railway service, efforts are also being made to improve hygiene around the tracks, where a significant amount of trash has accumulated.
He also acknowledged the need for a joint effort between the authorities, Ferrocarriles de Cuba, and the public to prevent the area from deteriorating again.
The restoration of the train to Expocuba would facilitate access to important cultural and recreational spaces such as Expocuba, the National Botanical Garden, and Lenin Park, the latter being almost abandoned, at a time when public transportation in the capital is experiencing a deep crisis, with overcrowded buses, fuel shortages, and a lack of mobility alternatives for the population.
The Ministry of Transport assured that it will continue to provide updates on the progress of this work, although it did not specify an exact date for the resumption of service.
In recent years, the regime's intention to reclaim recreational and cultural spaces that have been neglected has been evident. The case of Expocuba is a clear example of this strategy.
In 2022, the government announced a rescue plan for the facility, acknowledging the need to find ways to attract Cuban families back to the site.
However, a year later, the place presented a bleak picture: destruction, filth, and the degradation of the entire facility, highlighting the lack of progress in the announced plans.
More recently, in last January, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero emphasized the recovery of Parque Lenin, another iconic space in Havana that has faced the same fate of neglect.
In this context, the recent decision to restore the train to Expocuba, improving its tracks, signaling, and cars, is part of a broader policy aimed at reviving places that have fallen into neglect. However, it remains to be seen whether these initiatives will be effectively realized or if they will, as in the past, remain unfulfilled promises.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Recovery of the Train to Expocuba and the Transportation Crisis in Cuba
What is the current status of the train that connects the Luyanó Terminal with Expocuba?
The Cuban government has announced the rehabilitation of the train that connects the Luyanó Terminal with Expocuba, a service that stopped operating years ago. Currently, rehabilitation work is being carried out on the railway tracks and technical adjustments on the cars, but no exact date has been specified for the resumption of the service.
What does the rehabilitation of the train to Expocuba imply for transportation in Havana?
The rehabilitation of the train to Expocuba is part of an effort to improve access to cultural and recreational spaces such as the National Botanical Garden and Lenin Park. This initiative is expected to alleviate the public transport crisis in Havana, which is facing issues due to fuel shortages and a lack of mobility alternatives.
Why is the recovery of spaces like Expocuba and Parque Lenin in Cuba important?
The recovery of spaces like Expocuba and Parque Lenin is crucial for revitalizing recreational and cultural areas that have been neglected. These places are important for the enjoyment of Cuban families and for promoting domestic tourism, although the success of these projects will depend on their effective implementation.
How does the transportation crisis affect citizens in Cuba?
The transportation crisis in Cuba severely impacts citizens' mobility, who face long waits, crowded trips, and canceled services due to a lack of resources and fuel. This situation complicates daily life in a context of economic and energy crisis.
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